Thursday, May 8th, 2014

I’m never quite sure whether I should consider myself a member of #DraftTwitter—I’ve probably been branded in whether I like it or not—but I do enjoy participating in the online community mock drafts I get invited to participate in each year. I participated in three—#MockOne, #3For3Draft and #StatsMock— that each finished up or at least came close to it as Thursday’s draft approached.

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

How many times have you heard NFL coaches and executives say that you can never have enough good cornerbacks? This year’s draft class provides a host of intriguing prospects who could satisfy the league’s demand for talented cover cornerbacks.

Tuesday, February 25th, 2014

The 2014 NFL Scouting Combine drew to its close Tuesday when the final two groups, composed alphabetically from 59 of the 2014 draft class’ top defensive backs, took the field for their on-field workouts.

While there were a good number of high-profile prospects from other groups who chose to sit out part or all of the combine workouts, just about all the top defensive backs were full participants Tuesday. Northern Illinois safety Jimmie Ward was forced to sit out with a foot injury, as reported by Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net, but top DBs such as Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilbert, Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Ohio State’s Bradley Roby went through a full set of drills in Indianapolis.

Saturday, January 25th, 2014

Though some might be projected to be selected much higher than others, every player who has participated in this week’s Senior Bowl has a legitimate chance to be selected in the 2014 NFL Draft.

For a prospect to convince an NFL team that he is worth drafting, the process starts with on-field performance, including this week’s practice sessions and Saturday’s game for the top seniors in Mobile, Ala. this week. That process extends to the interview room, however, where players have an opportunity to persuade teams that they have not only the on-field skills, but also the character and intelligence, professional football teams expect.

While I had the opportunity to watch all of the Senior Bowl participants during practices at Ladd-Peebles Stadium and Fairhope Municipal Stadium this week, I also interviewed more than 20 prospects to get a closer look at each of them beyond their tape and the skills they displayed in practices.

“If I were representing an NFL team, what would you say to convince me ‘This is why you should draft (player name)?’”

Monday, January 20th, 2014

The 2014 Senior Bowl week is well underway as NFL scouts, executives and coaches filled the South Exhibit Hall at the Mobile Convention Center on Monday morning for this year’s weigh-ins. 110 draft hopefuls walked across the stage to have their bodies examined and heights and weights announced in front of the crowd, while hand width, arm length and wingspans were also distributed.